Method of acquiring citizenship

Method of acquiring foreign citizenships (not Australian)

Select the option that best describes how the applicant acquired the citizenship.

Application - the applicant lodged an application to become a citizen of the country. This is also known as 'naturalisation' in some countries.

Automatic - the applicant performed an action that resulted in receiving citizenship of the country automatically. For example, in some countries if you marry a citizen of that country you then receive citizenship of that country without applying for it.

Birth - the applicant was born in the country and met the country's requirements to receive citizenship by birth.

Descent - the applicant was born in another country and became a citizen of their parent's country. This is also known as 'registration' in some countries.

Other - select if none of the above apply.

Method of acquiring Australian citizenship

Select the option that best describes how the applicant acquired Australian citizenship.

Adoption

The applicant was adopted in Australia:

On or after 22 November 1984

The applicant became an Australian citizen at the time of adoption in Australia if the applicant was adopted by an Australian citizen and the applicant was a permanent resident in Australia at the time of adoption.

Birth

The applicant acquired Australian citizenship by being born in Australia:

Before 26 January 1949 and the applicant was a British subject on 25 January 1949

The applicant became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949 unless the applicant’s father was a foreign diplomat.

Between 26 January 1949 and 21 November 1984

The applicant became an Australian citizen at birth unless the applicant’s father was a foreign diplomat.

Between 22 November 1984 and 19 August 1986

The applicant became an Australian citizen at birth
unless one parent was entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities or was a consular officer of a foreign country and neither parent was an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

On or after 20 August 1986

The applicant became an Australian citizen at birth if at least one of the applicant’s parents was an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia at the time of the applicant’s birth.

The applicant may have become an Australian citizen on their 10th birthday if the applicant lived in Australia for the first 10 years of their life, and neither of the applicant’s parents were entitled to diplomatic privileges during this time.

To New Zealand citizen parents

The applicant may be an Australian citizen (unless the applicant’s parents were entitled to diplomatic privileges) if the applicant was:

born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 19 August 1986 (Note: children born in Australia between 20 August 1986 and 31 August 1994 generally did not acquire Australian citizenship by birth), or

born in Australia between 1 September 1994 and 26 February 2001 and at least one of the applicant’s parents held a permanent residence visa or a Special Category visa, or

born in Australia on or after 27 February 2001 and at least one of the applicant’s parents held an Australian permanent residence visa, or

born in Australia on or after 27 February 2001 to New Zealand citizen parents present in Australian on a Special Category visa if at least one parent:

was in Australia on 26 February 2001, or

had been in Australia for a period, or periods that total, at least one year in the 2 years immediately before 26 February 2001, or

had been issued with a Centrelink certificate stating they were resident in Australia on a particular date.

Born in Papua prior to independence (16 September 1975)

The applicant may be an Australian citizen from the date of their birth or, if born before 26 January 1949 the applicant acquired Australian citizenship on 26 January 1949.

Persons born in the former Australian Territory of Papua prior to 16 September 1975 who have at least 2 grandparents born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) or adjacent areas automatically became PNG citizens and consequently lost Australian citizenship when PNG gained independence on 16 September 1975 unless one of the following applies:

They had been granted the right of permanent residence in Australia.

They possessed another citizenship (other than Australian or Papua New Guinean) when they were under 19 years of age.

Conferral/grant

The applicant acquired Australian citizenship by conferral or grant by:

Migrating to Australia and becoming an Australian citizen (this includes children who are on a parent’s evidence of citizenship).

Notification. From 1 May 1970 to 31 May 1974, British subjects could acquire Australian citizenship ‘by notification’ provided they had been living in Australia for the 5 years before notifying their intention to become citizens.

Descent

The applicant acquired Australian citizenship by descent by applying for citizenship by descent, following the applicant’s birth overseas to an Australian citizen.

Full Hague Adoption

The applicant acquired Australian citizenship by Full Hague Adoption by being adopted under 'full and permanent' Hague arrangements and becoming an Australian citizen.

Resumption

The applicant acquired Australian citizenship by resumption if the applicant lost their Australian citizenship and then re-acquired it.

Transitional

Under special transitional provisions of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 if the applicant was born outside Australia before 26 January 1949 and was:

A British subject on 25 January 1949 and the applicant lived in Australia for the 5 year period from 26 January 1944 until 25 January 1949.

The applicant became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949.

A British subject born overseas to an Australian father before 26 January 1949.

The applicant became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949 if the applicant entered Australia before 26 January 1949 on an unrestricted basis or the applicant was granted permanent residence in Australia before that date, or

The applicant became an Australian citizen on the date of arrival in Australia if the applicant entered Australia between 26 January 1949 and 5 May 1966 as a permanent resident, or between 6 May 1966 and 30 April 1987 as a permanent resident.

A woman who was a British subject on 25 January 1949 and married an Australian before 26 January 1949.

The applicant became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949 if the applicant entered Australia and was granted permanent residence before 26 January 1949.

Born in New Guinea and the applicant was a British subject on 25 January 1949.

The applicant became an Australian citizen on 26 January 1949.

If the applicant thinks that they have become an Australian citizen but none of the options above describes their circumstances, provide details of how the applicant became an Australian citizen and attach supporting documentation at the end of the application process.